High Performance Imaging Sensors for Astronomy & Civil Space

James Beletci
Teledyne Imaging Sensors

Thusrday, March 18, 2010 at 3:00pm
Engr IV Maxwell Room 57-124

Abstract
An astronomical facility and an Earth observation instrument can be simplistically divided into two main parts: (1) a telescope that collects light and, (2) an instrument that measures the light. Perhaps the most important part of the instrument is the detector that senses the light. The performance of the telescope-instrument system is directly a function of the performance of the detector: an instrument with an outstanding detector on a 4-meter telescope can outperform an instrument with a poor detector on an 8-meter telescope. Thus, it is critical for every telescope to have the best detectors possible.

This seminar will present a broad overview of the scientific detectors that are used at major astronomical observatories and Earth science missions, concentrating on the types of detectors that are produced by Teledyne Imaging Sensors: CMOS-based imaging sensors that are used for detection of x-ray, ultraviolet, visible and infrared wavelengths. The content of this seminar is targeted toward those who are not detector specialists, but seek a basic understanding of the fundamental physics and architecture of optical and infrared detectors.

Biography
James Beletic is Director of Astronomy & Civil Space at Teledyne Imaging Sensors, where he leads the market segment that is responsible for Teledyne's customers in Astronomy (ground & space), Earth Science, and Planetary Science. He received a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University and has over 25 years experience in astronomical instrumentation, with specialization in visible and infrared image sensor technologies. His career is a unique combination of international work experience that includes leadership positions at the world's foremost astronomical observatories (European Southern Observatory, W.M. Keck Observatory), the industry leader in infrared sensors (Teledyne), and scientific positions at major research centers (Harvard University, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Georgia Tech Research Institute).

James Beletic is an active leader in the international astronomical community, chairing review panels for scientific projects, teaching seminars, giving invited talks, and hosting international conferences. Asteroid 14669 is named after him in recognition of his contributions to astronomy.